Parting thoughts:

Three examples of invalid knowledge in an incohesive thought structure followed by one example of valid knowledge in an incohesive thought structure:

1. Carbs are the primary fuel for cells (invalid)
2. Saturated fatty acids increase cholesterol (invalid)
3. LDL cholesterol increases risk of CHD: (invalid, see slide below)

Coronary heart disease risk does not increase significantly as LDL levels increase.

Obviously it is more important to maintain a high HDL level.

Direct source: http://www.lipidsonline.org/slides/slide01.cfm?q=Framingham+Heart+Study

• Fish oil is anti-inflammatory. (valid)

This is a valid statement, but the recommendation to take fish oil ‘fits into’ a thought structure based on wrong thinking. Fish oil is anti-inflammatory because it’s immunosuppressive, duh. Suppressing inflammation is synonymous with suppressing the immune response (as a cell swells when it is an excited state). Thus, the symptoms of inflammation get ‘treated’ – giving the appearance a problem is solved when it is not by quelling a symptom. This is analogous to the fact drugs treat symptoms but not the cause of the underlying condition. I use this as an example to point out the hordes of writers who regurgitate their source reading and spread wrong information. This is normal; I am not criticizing it. I too once thought certain fish and flax seed oils were ‘healthy’… before I understood peroxidation, how to season a cast iron pan, free radicals, and the immune system. What should be criticized is remaining obstinate or in disbelief after examining indisputable evidence that may be contrary to a point of view.